News from Ukraine, Eastern Europe

Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said Russia struck the operating room of the Strazheska Institute of the National Academy of Medical Sciences in Kyiv, injuring one patient.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian officials in St. Petersburg on Oct. 21 to discuss European and U.S. proposals for peace in Ukraine, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said.

According to the SBU, Sharlai heads the department responsible for religious organizations within Russia's occupation administration in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. He also served as Russian President Vladimir Putin's trusted representative in occupied Melitopol during Russia's 2024 presidential election.

This year, the Kremlin has significantly increased its recruitment of foreigners into its army, with 16,168 individuals already identified in the first nine months of 2026, according to Ukraine.

From the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Russian forces have inflicted countless atrocities against Ukraine.

According to HUR's Active Operations Department, the operation was carried out by its Group 10 special forces unit, which reportedly thwarted Russian offensive plans and prevented Russian troops from cutting off Ukrainian logistical routes in the region.

"I think the important takeaway for you is that there has not been some deliberate political directive to go out and harm Ukraine," Rubio said, acknowledging possible delays in interceptor shipments.

Lithuania said the drone entered its airspace from the Polish side before exploding on its territory on Oct. 18. Ukraine linked the incident to Russian jamming.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb are also taking part in the talks.

"We are maintaining all contacts that can help bring peace," Zelensky said upon arrival.

Ukraine has increasingly used long-range strikes and strikes against data centers to weaken Russia's ability to sustain the war.

"When we see Russia rebuilding its Arctic military footprint, pursuing hybrid strategies against its neighbors, and reshaping the security of the Arctic, it impacts the EU as a whole," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.